High‐resolution imaging and monitoring of animal tunnels using 3D ground‐penetrating radar

Ground-penetrating radar is widely used to provide highly resolved images of sub-surface sedimentary structures, with implications for processes active in the vadose zone. Frequently overlooked among these structures are tunnels excavated by fosso-rial animals (e.g., moles). We present two repeated ground-penetrating radar surveys performed a year apart in 2016 and 2017. Careful three-dimensional data processing reveals, in each data set, a pattern of elongated structures that are interpreted as a sub-surface mole tunnel network. Our data demonstrate the ability of three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar imaging to non-invasively delineate the small animal tunnels (~5 cm diameter) at a higher spatial and geolocation resolution than has previously been achieved. In turn, this makes repeated surveys and, therefore, long-term mon-itoring possible. Our results offer valuable insight into the understanding of the near-surface and showcase a potential new application for a geophysical method as well as a non-invasive method of ecological surveying.